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varnish

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Varnish is the hard, glossy, protective coating that you put on a surface. (noun)

An example of varnish is the glossy liquid that you paint onto a tabletop.

Varnish means a smooth manner of a person. (noun)

An example of varnish is the fancy quality of an educated gentleman.

To varnish is to brush on a clear protective coating. (verb)

An example of to varnish is to finish building a birdhouse and then paint it with clear sealant.

To varnish means to give something or an idea a smooth or polished appearance. (verb)

An example of to varnish is to ignore the problems in an organization and only concentrate on the positive aspects, thus making the problems appear to go away.

See varnish in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. a preparation made of resinous substances dissolved in oil () or in alcohol, turpentine, etc. (), used to give a hard, glossy surface to wood, metal, etc.
2. any of various natural or prepared products used for the same purpose
the hard, glossy surface produced
a surface gloss or smoothness, as of manner

transitive verb

to cover with varnish; brush varnish on
to impart a smooth surface or appearance to, as with varnish
to make superficially attractive or acceptable, as by embellishing
to polish up; adorn

Related Forms:

varnisher noun

See varnish in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(värˈnĭsh)

noun

a. A paint containing a solvent and an oxidizing or evaporating binder, used to coat a surface with a hard, glossy, transparent film.
b. The smooth coating or gloss resulting from the application of this paint.
a. Something suggestive of or resembling varnish.
b. A deceptively attractive external appearance; an outward show.

transitive verb var·nished, var·nish·ing, var·nish·es

To cover with varnish.
To give a smooth and glossy finish to.
To give a deceptively attractive appearance to; gloss over.

Related Forms:

varˈnish·er noun

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